Sentrum v2 19/12/08 12:57 Page 37
Facilities
majority of IT managers (79%) do not within just the last year. Nearly half to be considered when an organisation
think outsourcing their data centre have taken this step within the last 2 is tackling data centre expansion or
space requirements relinquishes years, suggesting this activity is on the consolidation plans. These include the
control of the data centre. Indeed, a increase and with predicted recession number of available sites, their
fifth think it gives them increased set to bite deeper we would expect location, timescales, proximity to fibre,
control when planning policies to more businesses to adopt this policy availability of power and real estate
manage IT expansion, and this opinion at an increasing rate. Of those who do market conditions. But in reality almost
is even more pronounced among not currently outsource any of their half of all large organisations in the UK
organisations that have direct data centre space requirements, 35% (47%) consistently do not factor in any
experience and/or already outsource have cited plans to do so in the future, of these key issues when making
(30%). and whilst timeframes for these new decisions. The most commonly
implementations vary from within 2 considered factors -number of sites
This is encouraging news for the months to 3 years, we expect more to available, location and timescales –
outsourcing industry if nothing else. be instigated in the short term, with are at best considered by only a third
Though there are still misconceptions - most looking to outsource at least of companies. Fewer still (16%) always
especially in terms of the scale of the some of their data centre space factor in the availability of power or
facilities available – there are suppliers requirements within the next year. real estate market conditions.
that offer data centre ‘space-only’ However, when choosing a third-party
solutions regardless of size So, if a business is to realistically operator to assist in building,
requirements, meaning there is choice consider housing some, or all, of its IT developing or relocating a data centre,
in the market for businesses seeking infrastructure externally how will this experience (58%) and cost (57%) were
to outsource. Close to half of the IT impact on the geographical spread of rated more highly than speed - even in
Managers interviewed are also still a company? On average, large the current climate.
under the impression that suppliers organisations in the UK it appears
are unlikely to provide a customised would consider locating a data centre Initially, this may seem to flow straight
solution which meets a company’s up to 97 miles away from any of the back to the concern about outsourcers
individual needs. This is simply not company’s current premises. The and the control of the data centre but
true. median figure of 50 miles is perhaps in my opinion the priority for a
more realistic, but what was knowledgeable business partner
Despite some confusion here, it is interesting was the indication, certainly instead suggests that this is a sign
interesting to note the growing trend from large organisations, that they post of the increased level of trust that
here in the UK for outsourced data would consider locating a data centre business now place in third party
centre solutions. Among those who further away from an existing premises outsourcing companies. Data centre
currently outsource at least some of if they were able to reduce power operators want to achieve
their data centre space requirements, consumption for the data centre by partnerships with their customers; they
28% have done so for the first time between 25-30% per annum. do not want to be simply a short term
This is one of the few occasions where bridge while a business sees how the
those we spoke to were most clearly broader market plays out. Good,
driven in taking a decision on the data experienced outsource partners will
centre by an opportunity to reduce now be actively investing in a range of
expense, though one could easily new and varied facilities to provision
argue that this underpins the entire scalable space and fully specified and
shift in popularity from mega data supported infrastructures. Businesses
centres to a more flexible outsourced that need to securely accommodate
option. In this case the deciding factor and access ever increasing amounts
was an overt saving. Most surprisingly of data need to be giving solid
for me was that in a time where consideration to the outsourcing route.
business seem to be eager to The ‘credit crunch’ may be
demonstrate green credentials, accelerating our thinking, but the
environmental impact appears to have market evolution to this method of
had less to do with the decision. working was already well on its way,
and I do not see that changing in the
Of course there are other key factors foreseeable future.
Winter 2008 www.datacentresols.com | DATA CENTRE SOLUTIONS | 37
Page 1  |  Page 2  |  Page 3  |  Page 4  |  Page 5  |  Page 6  |  Page 7  |  Page 8  |  Page 9  |  Page 10  |  Page 11  |  Page 12  |  Page 13  |  Page 14  |  Page 15  |  Page 16  |  Page 17  |  Page 18  |  Page 19  |  Page 20  |  Page 21  |  Page 22  |  Page 23  |  Page 24  |  Page 25  |  Page 26  |  Page 27  |  Page 28  |  Page 29  |  Page 30  |  Page 31  |  Page 32  |  Page 33  |  Page 34  |  Page 35  |  Page 36  |  Page 37  |  Page 38  |  Page 39  |  Page 40  |  Page 41  |  Page 42  |  Page 43  |  Page 44  |  Page 45  |  Page 46  |  Page 47  |  Page 48  |  Page 49  |  Page 50  |  Page 51  |  Page 52  |  Page 53  |  Page 54  |  Page 55  |  Page 56  |  Page 57  |  Page 58  |  Page 59  |  Page 60  |  Page 61  |  Page 62  |  Page 63  |  Page 64  |  Page 65  |  Page 66  |  Page 67  |  Page 68  |  Page 69  |  Page 70  |  Page 71  |  Page 72  |  Page 73  |  Page 74  |  Page 75  |  Page 76